The Hue Forest Protection Department said on June 14 that authorities in Binh Dien Commune had received a rare four-eyed turtle voluntarily surrendered by a local resident.
The rare four-eyed turtle handed over by a local resident (Source: Hue City Forest Protection Department).
Earlier, Phan Thi Hong Van, who lives in Binh Dien Commune, noticed an unusual turtle that had wandered into her yard.
Suspecting it might be a protected species, she safely captured the animal and promptly informed local authorities and forest rangers.
Following an inspection, officials identified the animal as a four-eyed turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata), weighing 0.3 kilogrammes.
The species is classified under Group IIB of Vietnam's list of endangered, precious and rare forest animals protected by law.
After receiving the turtle, forest rangers and local authorities completed the necessary procedures before releasing it back into its natural habitat.
Authorities receive the four-eyed turtle handed over by a local resident (Source: Hue City Forest Protection Department).
At around the same time, forest protection officials in Hue also received a rare yellow-headed box turtle voluntarily handed over by Dao Van An, a resident of Kim Long Ward.
The turtle, weighing approximately 0.7 kilogrammes, belongs to Group IB, the highest protection category for endangered wildlife under Vietnamese regulations, and will be used for wildlife conservation purposes.